Eagles vs. Falcons: Breaking Down the Matchups

By Paul MoserStaff Writer

Sunday

Oct 28, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Eagles offense vs. Falcons defense In the air

Michael Vick’s 13 turnovers are the most by a player in the NFL, three of the giveaways coming in Week 6 against the Lions. While Vick has showed signs in recent weeks of emerging from his season-long struggles — throwing five TD passes vs. just two interceptions the last two games — it’s fair to wonder how much longer he will hold on to his starting job while averaging over two turnovers a week. Sunday, he faces his former club for just the second time as a starter. Last September, Vick completed 19 of 28 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns before leaving with a hand injury.

DeSean Jackson is on pace for 77 catches and 1,200 yards, both career highs. Jeremy Maclin is coming off his most productive day, catching six passes for 130 yards that included a 70-yard TD play. Brent Celek (25 catches) and Jason Avant (16) are Vick’s preferred targets over the middle.

The Falcons have improved on defense and a big part of that turnaround can be attributed to former Eagle Asante Samuel, acquired in the offseason for late-round draft picks. Samuel had an interception return for a touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 6 win over the Raiders, and he will have his eye on Vick’s passing lanes all day. Dunta Robinson is the other solid performer at corner, helping the Falcons to a respectable No. 8 and No. 5 ranking in the league against teams’ No. 1 and No. 2 receivers, respectively.

On the ground

LeSean McCoy’s production went downhill the past two outings as he followed up a 123-yard effort in a Week 4 win over the Giants with a 53-yard performance in a loss to the Steelers and just 22 yards against the Lions before the bye. With rain most likely in the forecast, McCoy could be a focal point today and a key to slowing down the high-powered Atlanta offense.

The Falcons’ top pass rusher, John Abraham, ranks near the top in the league with six quarterback sacks this season, including a season-high three in his last outing against the Raiders. Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (three sacks) and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux are also skilled at getting after the quarterback. The Falcons have struggled defending the run this year, ranked 28th in the NFL at 120.9 yards per game.

The Eagles’ offensive line has not exactly enjoyed the greatest success this season, allowing 16 sacks and a league-worst 53 quarterback hits. King Dunlap, who lost his starting job after an early-season hamstring injury, was inserted back in the starting lineup for Demetress Bell. Another switch this week was necessitated by injury, as rookie lineman Dennis Kelly will take over for the struggling Danny Watkins, who is doubtful Sunday with an ankle injury.

Falcons Offense vs. Eagles Defense

In the air

Matt Ryan (14 TDs, six INTs) is off to his best start as a professional, leading a potent offense that is averaging 28.5 points per game. While he has cooled a bit the last few weeks (three TDs, four INTs), Ryan is arguably the NFC’s top quarterback this season.

Receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones are one of the top receiving tandems in the NFL, combining for 67 receptions for 929 yards and eight touchdowns. Throw in a Hall-of-Fame receiver at tight end in Tony Gonzalez (43 catches, four TDs) and the Falcons are one of the most difficult groups to cover in the NFL.

The Eagles’ secondary held the Lions’ All-Pro receiver Calvin Johnson in check for three quarters, allowing just one catch for 28 yards. The Lions adjusted, and Johnson torched the Eagles for five catches and 107 yards in the fourth quarter to ignite a 10-point rally with under four minutes left that tied the game and, ultimately, help cost defensive coordinator Juan Castillo his job. Nnamdi Asomugha played one of his best games as an Eagle, shadowing the star receiver early. Asomugha, and corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, will play a lot of press coverage against the Falcons’ top receivers. Strong-side linebacker Mychal Kendricks has helped the Eagles improve to eighth overall in defending the tight end this year.

On the ground

The Falcons are not the grind-it-out running attack of years past under new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, ranked just 29th in the NFL on the ground. Michael Turner, though a step slower at 30, is still a powerful back who can run over defenders. Jacquizz Rodgers spells Turner but is averaging just 2.5 yards per carry.

The Falcons are 23rd in the NFL in allowing 34 hits this year on QB Matt Ryan. The Atlanta line is anchored by tackles Tyson Clabo and Sam Baker on the left and right side, respectively.

The Eagles’ defensive line is applying pressure on the quarterback, helping the secondary post a league low 52.7 completion percentage allowed and 70.9 percent success rate in stopping opponents on third down. The problem, however, is that the team is not turning that pressure into big plays such as sacks or interceptions. The Eagles have just two interceptions the last three games and no sacks. Jason Babin (2½ sacks, 23 hurries) and Trent Cole (1½ sacks, 23 hurries) are the top two pass rushers for the Eagles, but both are well off their career numbers while facing constant double teams. New defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is expected to mix in more blitzes to make life easier for the duo.

What will happen

As the Eagles found out the hard way in Week 6’s loss to the Lions, sometime it pays to be the more desperate team heading into a game. At 3-3 and coming off a bye week in which defensive coordinator Juan Castillo was fired, the Eagles are about as desperate a bunch as you’ll find Sunday.

Andy Reid, likely coaching for his job these last 10 games, is undefeated after the bye and I don’t see that changing. The team was put on notice with the firing of Castillo, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them respond positively at home.

Michael Vick, who played well against Atlanta last season before being injured, has improved against the pass rush recently and could have a big day.

— Eagles 20, Falcons 17

Paul Moser can be reached at pmoser@phillyburbs.com

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